Suzdar Avista: Success of any political process depends on concrete actions, improving leader's status

Suzdar Avista; member of the General Presidential Council of the Kurdistan Communities Union, stated in an exclusive interview with Stêrk TV that the initiative launched by leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 27, calling for peace and a democratic society, has garnered widespread attention across Turkey, Kurdistan, and the region, as it aims to find a solution to a problem that has persisted for nearly a century.

She noted that there has been a continuous struggle for more than five decades, which means any path to resolution requires greater seriousness and concrete actions on the ground.

Suzdar discussed the meeting held with leader Abdullah Ocalan on May 24, following a period of interruption, explaining that merely holding sporadic meetings and issuing brief statements to the public opinion is insufficient to advance the peace process or address the root causes of the crisis.

She further added that the isolation imposed on leader Abdullah Ocalan over the past years was one of the main reasons for the stagnation, and that managing this issue in such a manner does not align with the significance of the matter at hand.

She stated: "The movement has clearly emphasized in previous statements that any genuine progress requires recognizing the central role of leader Abdullah Ocalan in this process. Resolving the issue begins with improving his legal status and enabling him to engage in

political activities and dialogue under free and secure conditions. Any talk of peace or a solution without taking concrete steps in this direction remains incomplete and incapable of achieving any actual breakthrough."

Suzdar Avista pointed out that earlier statements by Devlet Bahjali, leader of the National Movement Party, in which he discussed the role of leader Abdullah Ocalan in managing the political process, stating that these remarks paved the way for expectations of a potential transition to a new phase. However, she added that subsequent statements adopted different positions and reiterated approaches that did not contribute to building trust, raising doubts among various stakeholders regarding the sincerity of the current trajectory.

Suzdar Avista highlighted the role of leader Apo and the approach towards him, stating that dealing with him should be grounded in his mandate to find a political solution to the issue. She noted that the contradictory statements issued from time to time reflect a state of indecision and only prolong the process rather than advancing it toward tangible outcomes.

Regarding the recent meeting with leader Abdullah Ocalan, Suzdar Avista clarified that the movement had not received any direct official communication regarding the events that took place during it, despite media reports about legal proposals and reports currently being prepared.

She added that resolving the issue requires a direct and structured dialogue among all relevant parties, and that any ideas or proposals must be translated into clear legal procedures that can serve as a foundation for future actions.

She emphasized that one reason for the decline in public confidence in the process lies in the gap between stated commitments and actual actions, noting that many of the discussions taking place today should have already been translated into concrete measures and legislation months ago.

She emphasized that the ongoing delays have led segments of the public opinion to believe that this process serves political and electoral purposes more than it constitutes a genuine solution to the issue.

Suzdar Avista made clear that the enactment of laws or legislative amendments does not necessarily mean a complete resolution to the issue, but it can represent an important step if incorporated into a broader political vision that acknowledges the core nature of the problem and seeks to address it. The solution cannot be limited to a security-oriented approach or calls for the return of fighters only; it must also involve democratic reforms, and guarantee rights and freedoms.

She emphasized that the current process must proceed in tandem with a broad political and societal struggle, and that demanding the release of leader Abdullah Ocalan and amendments to laws related to him constitute a fundamental part of this effort. She also noted that building trust requires concrete measures that go beyond mere political speeches and media statements.

Regarding Turkey's internal affairs, Suzdar Avista criticized the measures taken against the Republican People's Party (CHP), stating that they reflect the ongoing democratic challenges in the country. She noted that while authorities claim to be working on advancing democracy and resolving the Kurdish issue, they simultaneously take actions against opposition forces; a development that raises questions about the sincerity of their official speech on political reform.

She further emphasized that the actions taken against the Republican People's Party are not merely a legal issue but carry clear political implications. Over the past years, Kurdish forces and opposition parties have faced similar measures, including arrests, exclusion from elected positions, and the appointment of proxy officials to local municipalities. The absence of a unified stance on these policies has contributed to their persistence and escalation.

She emphasized that the peace process should not be viewed as a project exclusive to the government or the Justice and Development Party, but rather as an effort to address a historical issue that affects all components.

The political parties and democratic forces were urged to support any concrete steps towards finding a solution, rather than engaging in narrow partisan calculations or electoral rivalries.

She also warned that using domestic political crises as a pretext to delay reforms or obstruct legislation related to the process would lead to further erosion of public trust and undermine opportunities for success, emphasizing that society possesses the capacity to shape the course of events when there is collective will to defend democracy and rights.

On the regional level, Suzdar Avista criticized the Iranian authorities' policies towards Kurds and other  groups within the country, accusing Tehran of continuing arrest and execution campaigns despite the challenges and crises it faces. She particularly highlighted the killing of two Kurdish brothers in Kermanshah and stated that targeting cultural and artistic figures constitutes an attack on the identity, culture, and social existence of the Kurdish people.

Suzdar Avista concluded her talk by stating that the crises facing countries in the region cannot be overcome through further repression or security measures, but only by adopting democratic approaches that guarantee political and cultural rights for all peoples and communities. She noted that any sustainable solution requires involving the society and expanding the scope of freedoms and dialogue.